Page 24 of Lady of Darkness

Sorin? Why was she calling him Sorin?

“There is enough war on the brink of happening without adding your own pettiness to the matter.” The woman continued, turning back to Ryker. “Do you have such little faith in those in charge?”

“Why are you here?” Ryker asked tightly. Scarlett recognized that tone. He was leashing his temper.

“I am free to roam where I wish,” the woman answered. Then she angled her head to the side as she continued to speak. “But to answer your question more specifically, I am here to see for myself how your task is coming? Have you found the weapon which I seek?”

“If I had, I would have been home months ago,” he growled.

“Perhaps I should inquire after the missing Semiria ring then?” the woman said, a cruel smile filling her face.

“What of it?” he countered.

“You have found it.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Why else would you inquire of it?”

“As I told your prick of a Second, I came across some ancient texts regarding the rings. I thought they may help us locate the weapon,”Ryker answered, his grip tightening on the stallion’s bridle.

The woman tsked under her breath. “I know you better than that, Sorin. You may have lied to Azrael and think you had gotten away with it, but I never believed that crock of shit for one second.”

“What is the prophecy of the Oracle?”

“Where is my ring?”

“On your finger.”

Scarlett felt the earth shake and rumble underneath her. Her mind was racing. Semiria ring? Who was Azrael? And why did she keep calling him Sorin?

“Dammit,” Ryker swore, tightening his grip on the stallion’s lead as he glared at the woman. “I see you still cannot control your fucking temper.”

“I suppose I learned that particular trait from you,” she answered, sounding bored. Her eyes seemed to glow even brighter as she said with quiet rage, “Bring me that ring. It is mine.”

“It isnotyours, and when I return to the Fire Court, I shall bring it with me.”

Scarlett almost shot up at the words. He was from theFire Court?

The wind picked up, whipping the woman’s hair behind her. “Return home, Sorin, and bring that ring.”

“I am not ready to return home,” Ryker replied through gritted teeth.

“Were you not just lamenting about your people?”

“I am entrustingyouto help keep my people safe while I am away. If I return now, I cannot bring the ring.”

“And why, pray tell, is that?” she asked, her voice low and steely.

“You sent me on this ridiculous task. Now that I have found something, do not summon me home before I am ready.”

The woman stared at him, her jade eyes locked on his golden ones. “The people are growing restless, Sorin. War brews. Do what you must, but do so quickly. Your people will soon need you.”

Before Ryker could reply, the woman turned and strode back into the woods where she had come, her black wolf at her side. The horse huffed softly behind him, and he reached up absently to stroke his nose.He turned to mount the horse once more, and before Scarlett knew what she was doing, she was on her feet and striding to the edge of the trees.

“I suppose if you were going to convince me humans live among the Fae, she would certainly do the trick.”

Ryker whirled to find Scarlett leaning against a tree, her arms crossed over her chest.

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